Do you want something to clean up that old dashboard look and equip your car with the best modern infotainment features? It’s time to upgrade your factory-issued head unit to an aftermarket car stereo receiver. Not only do you give your car state-of-the-art attributes, but you’re also giving your car audio system a more defined sound!
Here are the top five aftermarket car stereos that are considered the best and most popular head units of the year, based on customer feedback at Sonic Electronix!
Alpine UTE-73BT
Durability: 4.9 | Value: 5 | Features: 4.9 | Design: 4.9 | Usability: 4.8
A single-DIN car stereo that packs a punch, the Alpine UTE-73BT has it all when it comes to pure high-quality sound, easy music control, and Bluetooth wireless technology convenience. This one-stop music player has an LCD display with one-line, RGB illumination for your choice of display color. The new high-contrast LCD display has five times the contrast of a conventional screen, so the display is always easy to read. Alpine’s signature rotary knob makes controlling all your music a breeze. This unit also comes with a convenient front panel auxiliary input – so you or your passenger can plug in a portable media player as an additional source.
This aftermarket car stereo plays a variety of files, whether streamed from a phone, on a digital player, from your Pandora account, or even from an USB drive and produces the best sound quality, thanks to its utilization of 24-Bit DAC. The 3-band parametric EQ and high pass/low pass crossover lets you do fine-tune your sound system. The UTE-73BT can playback FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) files via USB, for a more accurate listening experience.
The UTE-73BT also offers Android AOA (Android Open Accessory) 2.0 when used with a compatible Android smartphone through the USB connection. The AOA connection provides better music and sound control compared to basic Bluetooth audio streaming.
Item highlights
• Single DIN Bluetooth Digital Media Receiver
• Digital LED Backlit LCD Display
• 3 sets of 2 volts preamp outputs
• 3-Band Parametric
• Pandora iPhone App Control
• Siri Eyes Free Control
“Nice!!!” – ★★★★★
I ordered this head unit maybe a month ago and it is still my daily unit and I love it and it was very easy to install as well!!
Tevin
Sonic Electronix CustomerPioneer MVH-S322BT
Durability: 3 | Value: 4 | Features: 4 | Design: 4 | Usability: 3
The MVH-S322BT is made to fit the needs of the Smartphone lifestyle. This digital media receiver enters a new realm when using Pioneer Smart Sync with Amazon Alexa. You can increase your access, whether wired or wireless, by using this program.
Three RCA pre-outs at 4V each are provided, and the receiver features an integrated amplifier. It contains a 13-band graphic equalizer that can be customized, and when Pioneer Smart Sync is used, that number rises to 31 bands. Only Standard Mode is supported by this receiver’s crossover network. Among the features are the Pioneer Smart Sync App with Amazon Alexa, wired AndroidTM Auto and Apple CarPlay®, Bluetooth® direct control for iPhone®, Pandora®, and Spotify®.
Item highlights
• Single DIN Bluetooth Digital Media Receiver
• Digital LED Backlit Display
• Pandora and Spotify capable
• 3 sets of 4 volts preamp outputs
• 13-Band Equalizer
“Very clean sound” – ★★★★★
This deck is crispy & clear, Pioneer is still one of the cleanest sounds on the market & this head unit is proof.
Anonymous Reviewer
Sonic Electronix CustomerDual DCPA701
Durability: 4.7 | Value: 4.7 | Features: 4.5 | Design: 4.9 | Usability: 4.9
The Dual DCPA701 Double-DIN In-Dash Digital Media Receiver is an aftermarket head unit that is designed for today’s digital media users and is not compatible with CDs or DVDs. The car stereo includes Bluetooth, compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (when connected to a USB port), and built-in navigation.
With a 7-inch TFT-LCD touchscreen display and built-in peak power of 50 Watts for each of your 4 speakers, this Double-DIN aftermarket unit is a powerhouse. Adapt your EQ curve to your preferred listening style. Select from Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classic, Beat, and Flat, or dial in your own unique setting and store it. Add amplifiers to your system using the three pairs of preamp outputs for increased volume.
Item highlights
• Double DIN Bluetooth Digital Multimedia Receiver
• 7″ TFT-LCD Monitor Display
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible
• Built-in Navigation
• 3 sets of 4 volts preamp outputs
• 8-Band Equalizer
Alpine iLX-W650
Durability: 4.8 | Value: 4.8 | Features: 4.8 | Design: 4.9 | Usability: 4.8
The iLX-W650 can fit into most dashes and provides all the functions you require on a 7-inch, two-finger touchscreen. The award-winning PowerStack™ architecture from Alpine gives your sound system greater power while taking up the same amount of space as a conventional 2-DIN radio.
Along with Android Auto, navigational apps, Bluetooth hands-free calling, and audio streaming, this Alpine car stereo supports Apple CarPlay. Additionally, it is compatible with Pandora Music and SiriusXM. You can access your own music, videos, and images through its USB port.
Its audio features doesn’t disappoint as well. You can get the most from your music by using the 9-band parametric equalizer and 6-channel time correction tool to control the powerful, built-in amplifier. It also features a built-in subwoofer level control so you can control the bass in your music.
Item highlights
• Double DIN Bluetooth Digital Multimedia Receiver
• 7″ Capacitive Touchscreen Display Display
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible
• 3 sets of 4 volts preamp outputs
• 9-Band Equalizer with Digital Time Correction
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio Ready
“Typical Alpine Elegance at a discount price” – ★★★★★
Fast start-up, steering wheel controls work fine, camera works well. The auto dimmer has enough variability for my taste. Did not do the parking bypass but found only the advanced sound settings need parking brake. Screen beautiful, excellent response, good sound. Thought I would be annoyed by parking brake for settings but really they are set once and forget. Would rather live than watch videos while I drive.
Anonymous Reviewer
Sonic Electronix CustomerBelva BVL62
Durability: 4.6 | Value: 4.9 | Features: 4.6 | Design: 4.8 | Usability: 4.9
With Bluetooth built into the Belva BVL62, users may stream music and make phone calls without taking their hands off the wheel. For Android devices, the BVL62 also offers phone mirroring. This makes it possible for information to be transmitted from the phone screen to the 6.2-inch LCD touchscreen display, allowing you to effortlessly handle things like navigation without having to look away from the road.
Three pairs of 4-volt preamp outputs are also included on this double-DIN to link your stereo to the rest of your car’s audio system. The BVL62 includes a subwoofer and a separate preamp output for your car’s front and rear speakers so that the sound is not only balanced but also clear throughout your entire vehicle. You may customize your system by making separate tweaks thanks to dedicated outputs for each.
By providing a dedicated input for a vehicle’s rearview camera, the BVL62 facilitates parking. Additionally, a dedicated input for all-purpose vehicle dash cameras is included. This enables you to document any trip, whether it’s for business or personal use.
Item highlights
• Double DIN Bluetooth CD/DVD Multimedia Receiver
• 6.2″ TFT-LCD Monitor Display
• 3 sets of 4 volts preamp outputs
• 3-Band Parametric Equalizer with 7 Presets
• Phone Mirroring for iPhone and Android devices
“Great Value Stereo” – ★★★★★
Stereo was almost everything I expected. Sound is good, operation is simple and screen color is great. When i mirror my iPhone the picture on the screen is smaller than what it is on my phone. The unit does not have Carplay, so I’m limited to using the phone. I love that i can insert my USB memory sticks with my preferred music, I can play my CD’s and DVD’s so that is all great.
I would recommend this radio to everyone and especially those who have Android phones. Installation was simple with the free dash kit and supplied wiring install kit. The hardest part was finding a hot wire that was not hot when the ignition is turned off, there are not many wires to choose from in the Jeep wiring harness, so I opted to use the hot wire to the power outlet which is only hot when the key is turned on. So far I an very happy with the system, it actually has more features than a lot of namebrand expensive stereo systems, like the front usb port and CD DVD player.
